This all depends on what your goal is... but in the end when the weight gets heavy you will need squat cleans.

Power cleans are easier when the weight is lower and allot of people at the start feel comfortable with them.

The hard part with squat cleans is the speed in which you can get under the bar, catching it at the right time and really fast elbows. Being fast under the bar will also give you confidence when you work on your snatch.

and yes you can program to do whatever you like when you like, unless you have someone telling you what to do.

Hello Experts,
I have this question regarding Power cleans and Squat Cleans.

How/when does an athlete choose between the two? Is it based on the programming
or is it a judgemental call?

Thanks in advance,
~Rk

I agree with everything that Alex said and I will add that when I am programming a Metcon, I will more than likely choose power cleans, as they can be done in a touch and go fashion more easily than full squat cleans, IMO.

If I am working specifically on my cleans, say doing EMOM singles, I'll go into full squat cleans, where I can use more weight.